New rules restricting the number of drinks all-inclusive holidaymakers can have in parts of Spain have angered a man who jetted off to Mallorca to celebrate a cousin's birthday.
Jason Walker, 42, says he was let "upset" by the new six drink per day rule, which applies to certain parts of Ibiza and Mallorca. Jason paid £340 for a three-night all-inclusive trip to Mallorca, through Love Holiday, which he thought would mean he could eat and drink as much as he want.
But a law change quietly introduced in January means tourists in Palma, El Arenal and Magaluf in Mallorca only get a maximum of six alcoholic drinks per day included in all-inclusive deals. The same law applies in St Antonio, Ibiza.
Jason, who travelled to Majorca to celebrate his cousin's 40th birthday, is warning holidaymakers to check the small print on their deals .
“We only found out when we checked in and only budgeted so much because thought all our food and drink would be covered.
"We were very upset and angry. We’ve come as a family of eight to celebrate my cousin’s 40th and while we have still had a good time, we have incurred extra costs as a result.”
The Balearic Islands government brought in the rule change in January as part of a package to tackle anti-social behaviour. But Jason, from Blackburn, says it means holidays are more expensive than he had budgeted for during a cost of living crisis.
He said: “I understand they are trying to stem alcohol abuse and rowdy behaviour, but I think this has been done very sneakily – I was not made aware of it and didn’t know about the law. We are also here as a family and all-inclusive is great for families as you don’t have to worry about budgeting for food and drink.”
Jason wants to see the law better publicised and the terms of all-inclusive deals made clearer.
He added: “I have looked at the small print and the alcoholic drink rule is there, so I don’t think it should be sold as an all-inclusive inclusive holiday, it should be sold as half-board or something along those lines. If you are booking an all-inclusive holiday, I recommend that you look at the small print and see what is actually included and what’s not because the rules have changed.”
A spokesperson for the ABTA - The Travel Association said the rules have the potential to cause “confusion” among holidaymakers. They said: “ABTA strongly supports initiatives that improve the health and safety of holidaymakers, as well as the welfare of local communities.
"Some of the measures introduced by the Balearic Islands authorities to limit anti-social behaviour have potential to cause confusion for UK holidaymakers. We welcome the recent clarification from the authorities, including that the restrictions will only apply to certain limited areas in Mallorca and Ibiza rather than the whole of the Balearics as originally proposed."
